Virtual Tour and Giveaway: On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor

Today we're welcoming author Marie Astor to the blog on her tour with Goddess Fish Promotions for the contemporary romance, "On the Rim of Love".

Marie is awarding two prizes to randomly drawn commenters during her tour: a sterling silver plum quartz necklace and earring set, and a sterling silver aventurine necklace that were custom designed for the tour. So comment today AND follow her tour (if you click on the banner over there on the left, it'll take you to a list of her tour stops) -- the more you read and comment, the better your odds of winning. You could be introduced to a great new author AND win a prize!

Check them out:



Okay Marie, take it away!

Hi, thank you very much for inviting me to It’s Raining Books. My name is Marie Astor and I am the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love and Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

I see you're self-published. What are some of the pros and cons of doing so?

Traditional publishing has the advantage of mainstream marketing and a vast array of support resources for authors. However, self-publishing gives the author greater creative freedom – it’s wonderful to know that I am in control of my books and the ideas that I want to write about. With the recent success of many self-published authors, I thought that self-publishing on Kindle would be a wonderful opportunity to introduce my books to readers.

Where did the idea for "On the Rim of Love" come from?

I am always thinking of novel plots involving love stories. Two years ago I went to British Columbia for the first time and was smitten by the beauty of the region – I immediately started thinking that it would be the perfect setting for a love story. Slowly, the outline of On the Rim of Love started to materialize in my mind... I put the idea on hold for some time, and two years later, On the Rim of Love was written.

Do you have any interesting writing habits or quirks?

I do my best writing really late at night – does that count?

Of course it does! Give us some insight into a normal day (or should I say 'night'?) writing.

I try to write every day. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I strive to devote at least two hours to writing / editing (depending on the stage of the manuscript I’m working on) every day.

Do you have anything new that you're working on? If so, please tell us about it.

I am currently reviewing the final draft of my next contemporary romance – it is a love story about letting go of one’s inhibitions, finding true love and learning to tango. Stop by my website, www.marieastor.com, if you would like to sign up to the distribution list to receive updates on future book releases and events.

How about a blurb and excerpt?

Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.

Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.

A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.

“Taylor, look. Isn’t he beautiful?” Maggie pointed at the regal bird that was circling in vast, sweeping loops, oblivious to their presence.

Taylor looked up. “He does look magnificent.”

“Doesn’t he look free, as though nothing could ever touch him?” Maggie murmured wistfully.

“You think that eagle doesn’t have anything to worry about?” Taylor looked at her with his piercing green eyes. “He’s probably circling there like that because he is searching for food.”

As if in testament to Taylor’s words, the eagle surged downward in a swift, sharp dive and soared back up several moments later, clasping his catch in his claws, beating his wings hastily as he made his way into the sky.

“I guess you’re right,” Maggie conceded, her voice ringing with disappointment. “It’s just that for a moment he seemed so free up there.”

“I know what you mean, but birds are anything but free,” said Taylor, “try hunting for food all the time, not knowing when you are going to eat next, being cold, watching out for predators. Humans, on the other hand, are free.” Taylor paused, looking at Maggie intently. “We can do anything we want – the sky is the limit and there’s no one here to stop us.”

“You really believe that?” asked Maggie.

“Of course I believe it. Don’t you?”

“I’d like to,” said Maggie quietly, and then, meeting Taylor’s gaze, added more assertively, “After today anything seems possible.”

More about Marie:

Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre. Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories. In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player. Stop by Marie’s website: www.marieastor.com to sign up for book releases and events.

Marie can also be found on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/marieastorcollection
and Twitter: @marieastor.

Books by Marie Astor:

On the Rim of Love – a contemporary romance about unexpected love.

Lucky Charm – a humorous contemporary romance about love, luck and friendship.

A Chance Encounter and Other Stories – a short story collection about love and everyday life.